The Stickley Difference

Product Spotlight

A Letter From The President

The first piece of furniture my husband, Alfred, and I received as we set about to furnish our home in 1964, was a Stickley terrace server. It was a wedding gift from Leopold Stickley’s widow, Louise. We never imagined that ten years later we would become the proud (and anxious!) owners of the then-struggling L. & J.G. Stickley.

In 1900, Leopold Stickley and his younger brother John George Stickley began manufacturing furniture in Fayetteville, NY. Alfred’s father, E. J. Audi, eventually became L. & J.G. Stickley’s largest distributor. He admired what Stickley furniture represented in quality construction, finish, and enduring value.

That passion was shared with all Stickley dealers annually at Leopold’s birthday parties in Fayetteville, NY. Alfred, who grew up sleeping in a Stickley bed, accompanied his father to one of these birthdays. He witnessed the incomparable construction of Stickley; and more importantly, the respect and admiration his father had for Leopold Stickley and his contributions to the American home furnishings scene.

After graduating from Colgate University in 1960, Alfred joined the family furniture business in New York City. He witnessed the loyalty of Stickley customers as they sought to furnish their homes beautifully and provide a haven for their families. So, naturally when Mrs. Stickley called in 1974 and said, “Alfred, you are the only one who loves Stickley enough to keep its quality, would you buy it?” the response was almost immediate. Thus began our journey blending the manufacturing and retailing of Stickley product.

From that time until his passing in 2007, Alfred’s passion was building the L. & J.G. Stickley company into a thriving international company, and he certainly succeeded. His incredible vision and his fine sense of furniture design and manufacture led this company from the 25 employees and the antiquated factory which existed when we purchased Stickley to our current success—three state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and more than 1600 wonderful employees. Only a week before his untimely passing, Alfred was touring the factory and keeping a close eye on the manufacturing and finishing processes, as he had done for more than thirty years.

The Audi family story is intimately intertwined with the Stickley story, and we intend to pass that legacy on to the next generation of Stickley admirers.

I serve as CEO and Chairman of the Board of L. & J.G. Stickley, and our son, Edward, who grew up in that same Stickley bed his father loved as a boy, serves as President of L. & J.G. Stickley. We owe it to our devoted employees and loyal customers to continue Alfred Audi’s brilliant vision for this venerable American company.

We invite you to immerse yourself in the world of Stickley. Discover the roots of our tradition: the pride, passion, and spirit that spans generations with such a marvelous story. Through the years, you have graciously invited us into your homes. Now we’d like to do the same for you—welcome to Stickley.

We thank you for helping us to write our Stickley story—and for ensuring that this vibrant legacy lives on for generations to come.